Ford Fusion V6 AWD to begin at $23,430

[NFS4]

FORD FUSION ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ARRIVES FOR $23,430, UNDERCUTTING COMPETITORS? FRONT-DRIVE MODELS

New standard equipment, extended powertrain warranty, and unique marketing initiatives continue Fusion success story

New, class-exclusive all-wheel-drive for Fusion now at dealers, starts at $23,430; comparably priced to Camry and Accord V-6 models, which don?t offer all-wheel drive at any price

New Hot Wheels Ford Fusion, exclusively available in McDonald?s Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals, help build Fusion brand awareness with millions of consumer impressions

New standard equipment on 2007 Fusion includes MP3 auxiliary input jack, front-seat side air bags and side curtains, and powertrain warranty coverage extended to 5 years / 60,000 miles

Improvements build upon Fusion?s award-winning quality and value, recognized by JD Power and Associates, Strategic Vision, Smart Money and AAA / Parents magazine

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 26 - The Ford Fusion continues to build momentum and excitement in the midsize sedan segment. More than 112,000 Fusions have been sold in the first nine months of 2006, fueled by award-winning quality, outstanding value and spirited driving dynamics. This week, Fusion builds on that success with the arrival of the segment?s only all-wheel-drive system and an additional $1,000 worth of standard equipment.

In addition, this week Fusions will arrive at an unexpected place: McDonald?s®, in the form of a limited-edition Hot Wheels® Fusion available with the purchase of a Happy Meal® or Mighty Kids Meal®.

?With 112,000 Fusions sold this year, it?s clear we have a serious product in the heart of the mid-size sedan segment,? says Al Giombetti, President, Ford and Lincoln Mercury Marketing and Sales. ?For 2007, we expect to be an even larger presence in the market, offering more standard features and the first all-wheel-drive system in the segment ? a feature not offered by any of the competitive sedans from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet or Pontiac.?

2007 Fusion AWD starting at $23,430

The first Fusion all-wheel drive (AWD) models arrive at dealers this week as the most affordable, V-6 powered AWD sedans on the market. Fusion SE AWD models start at $23,430, including destination and delivery, while Fusion SEL AWD models start at $24,525.

By comparison, the Toyota Camry LE V-6 starts at $23,960 including destination, and the Honda Accord SE V-6 starts at $23,945 with destination. However, the Accord and Camry are not available with AWD, at any price.

?For the same money as an Accord or Camry, we?re offering a Fusion with all-wheel-drive for free,? says Giombetti. ?The addition of all-wheel drive will be a huge advantage for Fusion, and shows that Ford is intent on leading ? not following ? this segment.?

Ford expects sales of vehicles equipped with AWD to double from 25 percent of the total U.S. market in 2003 to 50 percent by 2012. That increase will be largely driven by consumers who want to retain the confidence of four-wheel traction as they migrate from their current SUVs and trucks into new sedans and crossover vehicles.

2007 Fusion Offers More Features, More Standard Equipment

People who do put the 2007 Fusion on their shopping list will find it also offers a host of new features and standard equipment. New for 2007 is the availability of a DVD-based satellite navigation system, a factory-installed SIRIUS satellite radio, and an appearance package for Fusion SE models equipped with the four-cylinder engine.


Ford also has added up to $1,000 worth of additional standard equipment on the 2007 Fusion, including:

All Fusion models are equipped with an MP3 audio input jack as standard equipment
All Fusion models now offer standard side-impact airbags, side air curtains, and a perimeter alarm, previously part of the $595 Safety and Security Package
Fusion SE and Fusion SEL models come standard with a new, fold-down front-passenger seat for greater cargo flexibility
Fusion SE models now come standard with 16-inch aluminum wheels, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, and foglights, previously part of the $425 SE Sport Package
Fusion SEL models now come standard with automatic headlamps, compass, self-dimming mirrors, and heated side mirrors with puddle lamps, previously included in the $395 SEL Premium Package

Fusion Delivers Award-winning Quality, Value and Appeal

In addition, all 2007 Fusion models are covered by Ford Motor Company?s new, 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, including complimentary roadside assistance ? also not offered by Toyota or Honda.

The improvements further increase the value and appeal of the award-winning Fusion.

Internal Ford quality audits show the Fusion already delivers the best quality of any vehicle produced by Ford, and rivals that of Honda and Toyota. In addition, Ford customer research shows Fusion offers superior value and appeal over Honda and Toyota. That research has been supported by a number of prestigious recognitions in 2006, such as:

JD Power and Associates ranked the Fusion as the 2006 Most Appealing Midsize Car, based on owner satisfaction with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles
Strategic Vision ranked the Fusion as the best midsized car in the 2006 Total Quality Awards, based on new-vehicle owner satisfaction
AAA and Parents magazine named the Fusion one of the 2006 Best Sedans for Families, based on family road tests and top crash test ratings.
Consumer Guide ranks the Fusion as a ?Recommended? buy, stating the Fusion targets the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, ?and matches those perennial class leaders for room and road manners?.?
Smart Money selected Fusion as a ?Best Value? in the midsize sedan market based on Fusion's features, comfort, ownership costs, and fuel economy

?We?re extremely proud of the success Fusion has enjoyed right out the gate,? says Giombetti. ?With the improvements for the 2007 model year, we expect more customers to arrive at the same conclusion as industry experts such as JD Power and Parents magazine: The Fusion is simply one of the best midsize sedans on the market.?

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/26/ford-fusion-awd-begins-at-23-430/

 

[InlineFive]

How much of this one is Volvo? Does it use the new I6?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: InlineFive
How much of this one is Volvo? Does it use the new I6?

0% and No

 

[krunchykrome]

221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD...

Hmmm

The Fusion is bigger and more family oriented. It will also receive a refresh later on this year with the 3.5l v6.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD...

Hmmm

The Fusion is bigger and more family oriented. It will also receive a refresh later on this year with the 3.5l v6.

I do like the fusion's styling more than the base WRX, and the interior is better IMO as well.

 

[radioouman]

Is the Mazda 6 AWD?

 

[Dracos]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

I've rode in both a WRX and a 2006 Fusion, sorry but the Fusion has a lot more room inside at least to me. Plus I dont drive a stick so WRX is not for me.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Is the Mazda 6 AWD?

The Mazda 6 Speed is AWD, but it's far more expensive than the fusion.

The mazda speed 6 probably competes with the EVO and STI.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Dracos

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

I've rode in both a WRX and a 2006 Fusion, sorry but the Fusion has a lot more room inside at least to me. Plus I dont drive a stick so WRX is not for me.

And the Ford dealer is gonna give you all kinds of discounts.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: Dracos

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

I've rode in both a WRX and a 2006 Fusion, sorry but the Fusion has a lot more room inside at least to me. Plus I dont drive a stick so WRX is not for me.

And the Ford dealer is gonna give you all kinds of discounts.

Yep, these babies will fly out the doors. Go Ford

What are the stats on the base V6 in this model?

As far as WRX goes, the two models just can't be compared. If you want performance, you go WRX. If your priorities lay anywhere else, get the Fusion; assuming AWD is a must. Another consideration is a base Legacy (non-turbo), should be comparable in terms of peppiness but not overall performance.

Also keep in mind Impreza and Legacy have TOP safety ratings from IIHS, what does the Fusion have?

 

[b0mbrman]

Holy crap...

HOLY CRAP

And I was trying so hard not to buy a car as soon as I got back too

[Edit] Anything in the pipeline about an SVT?

 

[krunchykrome]

Suzuki Aerio AWD starts at $17,199 :laugh:

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Dracos

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

I've rode in both a WRX and a 2006 Fusion, sorry but the Fusion has a lot more room inside at least to me. Plus I dont drive a stick so WRX is not for me.

They're really not comparable. The WRX has performance upgradability to the moon. Not so the Fusion.
I'm not necessarily saying one is better than the other. Different cars have different uses and appeal to different people. I'm just saying that I don't see a lot of people cross-shopping the Fusion and the WRX.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

Do people cross-shop the Camry and the WRX?

Because they cross-shop the Camry and the Fusion...

Not sure why AWD is the only thing you're factoring into the equation

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

Do people cross-shop the Camry and the WRX?

Because they cross-shop the Camry and the Fusion...

Not sure why AWD is the only thing you're factoring into the equation

Anything with AWD is a bit more sporty than a Camry.

 

[tbike06]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Holy crap...

HOLY CRAP

And I was trying so hard not to buy a car as soon as I got back too

[Edit] Anything in the pipeline about an SVT?

Fords SVT department was discontinued though....

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD and it's turbocharged....

Hmmm

Do people cross-shop the Camry and the WRX?

Because they cross-shop the Camry and the Fusion...

Not sure why AWD is the only thing you're factoring into the equation

Anything with AWD is a bit more sporty than a Camry.

Do people cross-shop the Camry and the WRX?
Do people cross-shop the Camry and the Fusion?

No
Yes

Cheers :beer:

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: tbike06

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Holy crap...

HOLY CRAP

And I was trying so hard not to buy a car as soon as I got back too

[Edit] Anything in the pipeline about an SVT?

Fords SVT department was discontinued though....

They can call it the Fusion Queer Eye Edition for all I care, as long as it gets the new 3.5L Duratec, AWD, and some SVTish tuning...

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: tbike06

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Holy crap...

HOLY CRAP

And I was trying so hard not to buy a car as soon as I got back too

[Edit] Anything in the pipeline about an SVT?

Fords SVT department was discontinued though....

No it was not.

edit: and go ford, this looks like a great product.

 

[foghorn67]

Wow. I held off on this simply because I did not price a V6 Fusion out. Tempting.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
221 HP AWD and it starts at $23,400?

A WRX starts at $23,995 and has 224HP and AWD...

Hmmm

The Fusion is bigger and more family oriented. It will also receive a refresh later on this year with the 3.5l v6.

I do like the fusion's styling more than the base WRX, and the interior is better IMO as well.

the fusion looks good, but the rear decklid is very high, limiting rear visibility, espicalyl for shorter driver like me. #1 reason i will never drive another fusion.

 

[KDOG]

Nice. I like the Fusions' look. I wish they'd make a wagon version though for a little more utility.